A teenage asylum seeker, who fled Afghanistan and settled in Lancashire, has officially been granted asylum in the UK.

16-year-old Adnan Miakhel, who lives in Preston, impressed cricketing legend Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff in BBC documentary ‘Field of Dreams'.

After a nervous wait to see if he can continue to live with his foster parents in Preston, Adnan was finally given the good news that his asylum had been accepted.

Lancashire Telegraph: Adnan, Harvey, Matthew and Harry in Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams.(Image: BBC)Adnan, Harvey, Matthew and Harry in Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams.(Image: BBC)

He told a regional radio station that he was "flying over the sky" with happiness at the news.

Preston-born Freddie also expressed his excitement on Twitter writing: “Adnan’s got asylum.

“Massive thank you to you all – can’t stop smiling.”

 

 

 

Adnan is now expected to play for the youth cricket team at Lancashire under the guidance of his foster parents, Elaine Jefferson and Barry Brocklehurst.

The couple foster for Lancashire County Council, said they are both very proud of Adnan's sporting talent.

Elaine said: “To have impressed Freddie Flintoff, just shows how talented Adnan is.

“When Adnan arrived with us in March of last year, he went out into our garden and started bowling golf balls in our little driving range. Barry and I were immediately struck by his obvious natural ability.

“But there’s much more to Adnan than his sporting abilities. His story is astonishing.”

 Adnan travelled from Afghanistan to Calais by foot, boat, truck and car, after fleeing from the Taliban.

In Calais he hid in an empty lorry and found his way to Preston. When he arrived here, he cut himself out of the lorry and handed himself in to the police.

Elaines said: “Barry and I have total admiration for Adnan.

“In making his way to the UK, he has displayed astonishing levels of courage and ingenuity.

"Since he came to stay with us, he has learnt English, made lots of friends at college and of course, demonstrated his fantastic ability to play cricket.

“Adnan is genuinely gifted and we’re privileged to have got to know him."

You can watch all episodes of Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams on BBC iPlayer.